Disposable type umbrella



25, 1955 B. POSTQN ET AL 2,700,390

DISPOSABLE TYPE UMBRELLA Filed June 6, 1949 INVENTOR BLANCH P0570 ATTORNE United States PatentC DISPOSABLE TYPE UMBRELLA Blanch Poston, New York, andtlerome Bell, White Plains, .N.

Application June6, 1949, -SerialNo. 97,346

11 Claims. (Cl. 135-20) This invention relates to anumbrellaand more particularly t e disposable type umbrella.

The weather being atileast to somodegree v lnpretljictable it often happens that what is fair weather when onestarts out in the morning is rain in the latter part of the day, and some type of rain protection is necessary. -It is for such a case as this, when one comes out of the ofiice, theater, train, or store, that the present invention is disclosed, that is, to have available to a person'who .is caught unaware, or who does not like to carry a regular umbrella throughout a day that may or may not be stormy, an umbrella at a price of less than the cost of having their clothes pressed which will give them adequate protection to enable them to reach their destination, andwhich can be dispensed by a machine, or over :the counter, or by a concessionaire.

it is an object of this invention to provide an umbrella which is relatively cheap i manufacture, and ;is .of ,such construction that it can ;be dispensed in 'a machine, over the counter, or by a concessionaire at-a low cost to the -individual, and which will afford adequate protection against a reasonable amount of rain or Snow.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a.disposable type of umbrella which is encased in ,a vcompact container, and which can be-readily-opened-up; to provide a disposable type umbrella which is contained in -a tube which is attractive in appearanceandwhich can becarried easily; to provide a relatively cheap umbrella :which can be easily assembled and disassembled and which will provide emergency protect-ion from storm fora few times, and then disposed of without any substantial loss; to pro yide an improved umbrella of the type described.

In the present form of our invention ;there is a canopy of a low cost material which is capable of withstanding a reasonable amount of rain. Attached to the canopy are a plurality of ribs, the canopy is attached to a cap which is adzu ted to be inserted into a handle and has .a portion overlying the {handle which holds the ribs and canopy in extended position. The umbrella is received by the iconsumer with the canopy positioned in ;a tube, the tube serving as a handle when the umbrella is in service. When the canopy is enclosed in the tube the ribs be against the inner wall of the tube, and to assemble the :umbrella, the canopy first is withdrawn from the tube, and the .cap is then inserted into the tube, the .canopy is then faired out, and cords which are attached to the ribs positioned on the tube. These cords restrain the canopy from being 1 blown inside out by the wind. To collapse the umbrella, the cords are disengaged from the side of the tube, and the cap is withdrawn from the tube, and the canopy folded with the ribs remaining on the outside. I This bundle is then inserted into the tube.

Our invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In the claims, as well as in the description, partsare at times identified by specific names for clarity and convenience, but such nomenclature is to be understood as having the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of our invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which we have contemplated applying our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of the umbrella.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the umbrella on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the folded canopy partially inserted in the tube.

2,700,390 Ratented Jan. v25, 1955 er 7 CC Fig. 4 .is a fragmentary elevation showingan alternate form of retaining means for the cords.

Fig. 5 1s a fragmentary section showing a more detailed construction of the cap.

Referring now to the drawings, the canopy 10 is constructedof a circular sheet-ofthin'water resistantinaterial. We ihaveifound that a .thin sheet of plastic is preferable, although paper or cloth'may be used. The materialchosen shoutdbe capable of withstanding-a'reasonable amount of rain, w1nd or snow, and also capable of being folded into .acompact bundle '13 when notin use, as'shown inFig. 3.

A plurality of ribs 11 are .attached :to .the underside of -th e;canopy 10. In the form shown eight ribs have been used, and they are radially disposed from the center of the canopy 10; however, a lesser number of ribs may be utillzed. The ribs are formed of thin cylindrical rods, and preferably constructed of 'bambooorother type of wood capable of holding the canopy '10 .in extended pOSlilOIl The ribs 11 are attached to the :canopy .:in any COHVCZIIIOIlQl manner, and in the form shown have been attached to the canopy 10 by a plurality :of tapes :14 which are located on each rib, one adjacent to the periphery 18, another midway between the center 12 and the periphery i113, and a third adjacent the .inner end. A washer 15 formed of tape or material is located at :the center 12 on the top side of the canopy 10. The washer 15 prevents puncture of the canopy from the inner ends of the ribs, and also reinforces the canopy at this :point.

.A cylindrical cap 16 is attached to'the canopy 10. One ,met-hodof attachingthe cap 16 to the canopy 10 .isshown an F 1g. 5,'Wh61,i11 there isa button 17,, knot or other similar object disposed in the washer 15. String 19 depending through the cap 16 is attached to the bottom 20 of the cap 116., but anytother conventional means maybe utilized. Adjacent to the ribs 11 when the canopy 10 is extended the cap has aportion 2d, or-disc, which 'is of a larger diam- .etcr than the remainder of the cap v.23. This disc 21 'overlies the plug 23. This disc 21 being of a substantially greater diameter than the .cap :16, acts to position the ribs and canopy in relation to .the handle when the umbrella is Opened, that is, with .the canopy Zbeing affixed to the cap ilti :the t canopy is restrained in movement, and :the flange created by the .disc 2'1'holds the ribs in ,an extended ;posi- 'tion prohibiting them from converging :too greatly. :Since the ribs 11 are formed of .rods :capable of holding the canopy inextended positionano braces :that .are normally found in an ordinary umbrella are necessary; :however, :to prevent the canopy 10 from being turned inside "out by a wind, restraining cords 2S depend obliquely from the midportion of the ribs .to handle 24. These .cords 25 may be formed from string, one being attached to ilzWO ribs (not successive) and another similarly attached on the opposite side :of the canopy, as shown in Fig. l. The :cords are attached to the handle .as will be subsequently disclosed.

Aho'llow cylindrical handle 24- ;is adapted to receive the plug 23 of the cap 16 and :to secure it by frictional engagement. The handle 24 may be formed of acardboard mailing tube. The handle 24 is cut to provide :s'lits 2.6., 26 or tabs 27,27. These slits 2,6, 26 are utilized to receive and hold the cords 2-5. The cords 25 are inserted under the slits 2.6, 2.6 and the slits then :presesd down .over the cords,

this holds the cords secure, and prevents the .canopyfrom bein turned inside out. Rings or hooks (not shown) may be used instead of the slits '26, 26 to hold the cords.

The canopy and ribs are capable :of being folded into a bundle, and this is insertable into the handle 24, as shown in Fig. '3. The disc 21 prevents the entry :of the plug 23 of the cap 16. The handle may be painted or decorated to give it an attractive appearance.

When the purchaser receives the umbrella, the canopy and ribs are inserted in the handle forming a compact package, and it may be dispensed by a machine or over the counter. To open the umbrella, the cap 16 is grasped position that is approximately horizontal, and keeps the ribs from converging too greatly.

To close the umbrella, the restraining cords 25 are dislodged from the slits 26, 26, the handle is turned upside down and the canopy and ribs folded into a bundle. The cap 16 and the bundle formed by the folded canopy are then extracted from the handle. The bundle is then inserted into the handle, and the disc of the cap restrains the entry of the plug of the cap.

Although the umbrella is constructed of economical materials, it can be used several times with average care. The umbrella is easy to dispense in a machine, over the counter or by a concessionaire, and can be easily opened and closed, and carried.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of water resistant material; a plurality of ribs attached to the underside of the canopy extending radially from the center of the canopy to the periphery of the canopy, the ribs being formed of thin cylindrical rods capable of holding the canopy in extended position; a cap attached to the canopy; a hollow handle, a portion of the cap being adapted to be inserted into the handle and having a portion that extends beyond the handle which positions the cap in relation to the handle, and provides a portion which sustains the ribs in extended position; restraining cords attached to the ribs and depending toward the handle; means on the handle to secure the cords.

2. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a foldable canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of water resistant material; a plurality of thin cylindrical ribs attached to one side of the canopy, the ribs being disposed radially from the center of the canopy, the canopy moveable with the ribs to form a bundle, the ribs being disposed about the folded canopy; a cylindrical cap being attached to the center of the canopy, the cap having a portion adjacent to the ribs that is of larger diameter than the remainder of the cap; a hollow cylindrical handle having an inside diameter adapted to receive the smaller diameter portion of the cap; and also being adapted to telescopically receive the bundle formed by the canopy and ribs, the larger portion of the cap restraining the entry of the cap.

3. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of water resistant material, a plurality of ribs attached to the underside of the canopy, a cap attached to the canopy and having a portion of substantial diameter adapted to hold the ribs in extended position, a hollow handle adapted to receive a portion of the cap; the canopy and ribs being foldable into a bundle, and the handle adapted to receive the bundle when the canopy and cap have been disengaged from the handle.

4. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a foldable canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of water resistant material; a plurality of ribs attached to the under side of the canopy being disposed radially from the center of the canopy, and being formed of thin rods I capable of holding the canopy in extended position; a

cylindrical cap attached to the canopy, the cap having a cylindrical plug and a disc adjacent to the ribs of substantially greater diameter than the plug of the cap, the disc sustaining the ribs in extended position; a hollow handle adapted to receive a portion of the cap, the disc is of a greater diameter than the cap and thereby acts as a stop and positions the cap; restraining cords depending obliquely from the ribs; slits in handle being adapted to receive and secure the restraining cords.

5. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a foldable canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of Water resistant material; a plurality of ribs attached to the underside of the canopy, the ribs being disposed radially from the center of the canopy and being formed of thin rods capable of holding the canopy in extended position; a cylindrical cap attached to the canopy, the cap having a disc of substantial diameter adjacent to the ribs which overlies the remainder of the cap, and which positions the ribs in an extended position; a hollow cylindrical handle adapted to receive a portion of the cap and securely retain it, the disc of the cap positioning it in relation to the handle; a plurality of cords depending from the ribs toward the handle; means located on the handle to secure the cords; the ribs and canopy being foldable into a bundle when the cords are disengaged, and insertable into the handle when the cap is withdrawn from the handle.

6. A disposable type of umbrella, comprising: a canopy formed of water resistant material; a plurality of ribs attached to the underside of the canopy; a cap attached to the center of the underside of the canopy; and a hollow handle, the cap having a disc adjacent to the ribs, the disc being of a substantial diameter and forming a flange against which the ribs lie, the disc thereby retaining the ribs and canopy in extended position, the cap also having a plug, the plug being telescopically engaged in the hollow handle.

7. The disposable type of umbrella as described in claim 6, having cords depending from the ribs, the cords being secured to the handle thereby restraining the canopy from being turned inside out.

8. The disposable type of umbrella as described in claim 6, the canopy being foldable in a direction away from the flange into a bundle with the ribs being located on the outside of the bundle, the bundle being adapted to be inserted into the hollow handle, and the disc restraining the entry of the cap.

9. An umbrella, comprising: a hollow handle; a cap having a plug portion telescopically engaged in the handle, the cap also having a disc portion forming a flange which is of a substantially greater diameter than the handle; a canopy attached to the cap; and a plurality of radially spaced ribs attached to the underside of the canopy, the ribs being positioned against the flange formed by the disc, the canopy thereby being maintained in extended position.

10. As umbrella as described in claim 9, having cords depending from the ribs, the cords being secured to the handle thereby restraining the canopy from being turned inside out.

11. An umbrella comprising: a canopy formed of a thin circular sheet of water resistant material, a plurality of ribs attached to the underside of the canopy, a cylindrical cap affixed to the canopy, the cap having a portion adjacent the ribs which is of a substantially increased diameter, the substantially increased portion of the cap sustaining the ribs in an extended position, a hollow handle receiving a portion of the cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 156,221 Hill Oct. 27, 1874 1,455,605 Davis May 15, 1923 1,697,520 Clark Jan. 1, 1929 1,783,972 Moses Dec. 9, 1930 1,819,912 McGafley Aug. 18, 1931 2,024,946 Morgenstern Dec. 17, 1935 2,266,684 Brown Dec. 16, 1941 2,439,752 Pfeil Apr. 13, 1948 

